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Dietary supplement

L-Cysteine 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Vitamin World

Capsule Category: Amino Acid/protein
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

L-Cysteine 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Vitamin World with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for antioxidant support, skin and hair health, liver support.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are L-Cysteine. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of L-Cysteine 500 mg by Vitamin World

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: L-cysteine, a naturally occurring amino acid your body makes and also gets from foods like garlic, onions, and poultry. The supplement form delivers 500 mg per capsule.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients—gelatin as the capsule material and rice flour as a filler.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient L-cysteine product and its label doesn't state a use — see L-cysteine's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that L-cysteine works for any of the uses it's marketed for. Our data rates its effectiveness as insufficient for androgenic alopecia (male-pattern hair loss), venous leg ulcers (slow-healing wounds in the legs), hangover symptoms, stroke recovery, and gastritis (stomach inflammation).

That doesn't mean it doesn't work—it means we don't have reliable evidence yet to say one way or the other.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient L-cysteine

How safe is it?

Some data gaps
Safety Information · database check
Some gaps

Safety data exists for these ingredients, but with some important gaps.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 0 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

L-cysteine is generally well tolerated at the amounts you get from food, but the safety of high-dose supplements like this one over the long term hasn't been well studied. The supplement-level doses found in products like this aren't as well established as food amounts, so caution is advised.

No adverse effects were reported in the data we hold. During pregnancy and lactation, L-cysteine is rated as likely safe, so it falls within what's considered acceptable during these times.

That said, any supplement use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding should be discussed with your doctor or midwife beforehand.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient L-cysteine

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — L-cysteine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take any antidiabetes drugs (medications that lower blood sugar), check your specific medications with the tool on this page before starting L-cysteine. The supplement may theoretically increase your risk of low blood sugar when combined with these drugs, so your doctor or pharmacist should be in the loop to monitor you.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and some safety-information gaps remain.

This is a single-ingredient supplement, so it's straightforward—your main question is whether it interacts with your blood sugar medication. If you take an antidiabetes drug, check your exact medication below or talk with your pharmacist before starting.

The evidence doesn't yet show it works for the conditions it's often marketed for, so have that conversation with your doctor about whether trying it makes sense for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 24, 2013.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about L-Cysteine 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Vitamin World
Barcode (UPC) 074312701009
Net contents 50 Rapid Release Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 24, 2013
DSLD ID 20602
Product type Amino Acid/protein
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for L-Cysteine 500 mg by Vitamin World, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
074312701009
IngredientAmount% DV
L-Cysteine500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Flour, Contains <2% of

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

From the moment raw ingredients reach our facilities to the time a finished supplement is packaged, stringent analysis confirms the potency, purity and nutritional content of every nutritional product that bears the Vitamin World name. We guarantee it!

NOTE: This product has an odor which is characteristic of L-Cysteine.

L-Cysteine is an amino acid involved in important functions within the body.* Amino acids are considered the building blocks of protein and are essential for a variety of biological processes.* L-Cysteine is also one of the body’s main sources of sulfur, which is needed for hair, skin and nails.

Get healthy. Free form

Hair, Skin & Nails Promotes Protein Metabolism*

Seals/Symbols

QA QUALITY ASSURED

Formulation

No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish. Sodium Free.

Precautions

WARNING: If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.

Storage

Store at room temperature.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: For adults, take one (1) to (2) capsules daily, preferably on an empty stomach.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

General

PROD. #100 B101 08C

FDA Statement of Identity

AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENT

Formula

L-Cysteine Free Form 500 mg

See for yourself

L-Cysteine 500 mg by Vitamin World label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in L-Cysteine 500 mg by Vitamin World

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

L-Cysteine

Interacts with
86 drugs
500 mg per serving

L-cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid your body uses to make proteins and the antioxidant glutathione. Most people get enough from food, and su...

L-Cysteine monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Rice Flour, Contains <2% of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

L-Cysteine 500 mg by Vitamin World Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against L-Cysteine 500 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in L-Cysteine 500 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

L-Cysteine1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking L-cysteine supplements with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research suggests that L-cysteine can have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for L-Cysteine 500 mg, from the product label.

Vitamin World

See all Vitamin World products
Phone Number
1-800-228-4533
Web Address
www.vitaminworld.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

L-Cysteine 500 mg by Vitamin World: Common Questions

Does L-Cysteine 500 mg by Vitamin World interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, L-Cysteine 500 mg has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
L-Cysteine 500 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will this help with hair loss?
The evidence we hold rates L-cysteine's effectiveness for androgenic alopecia (male-pattern hair loss) as insufficient. That means we don't have reliable data yet to say whether it works for this use.
Is it safe to take long-term?
The safety of high-dose L-cysteine supplements over time hasn't been well studied. Food amounts are fine, but supplement-level doses like this one come with limited safety data, so it's worth discussing with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your routine.
Can I take it if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
L-cysteine is rated as likely safe during pregnancy and lactation, but any supplement during these times should be cleared with your doctor or midwife first.
What is L-cysteine and where does it come from naturally?
L-cysteine is an amino acid your body makes naturally and also gets from foods like garlic, onions, and poultry. This supplement delivers a concentrated dose.
What else is in this capsule besides L-cysteine?
The capsule itself is made from gelatin, and it contains rice flour as a filler. Those are the only inactive ingredients listed.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if L-Cysteine 500 mg is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

L-Cysteine 500 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

L-Cysteine 500 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 2 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

L-cysteine 2 references
  1. Dowlati Y, Maheux M, Meyer JH. The effect of oral L-cysteine on breast milk and plasma cysteine concentrations. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020;16:3163-3172.
  2. Lee S, Han KH, Nakamura Y, et al. Dietary L-cysteine improves the antioxidative potential and lipid metabolism in rats fed a normal diet. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2013;77(7):1430-4.

See these in context on the L-cysteine monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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